Stanford football: Brief update from spring practice

I’m headed to Cal this afternoon for its first spring practice, which reminded me that I never posted a report from Stanford’s public workout Saturday. (If you missed the Hotline entry on San Jose State opening spring, it’s here.)

There wasn’t much in the way of news at Stanford, and you wouldn’t expect any in early March.

A few notes:

* Coach David Shaw wouldn’t get specific on the quarterback situation — who’s leading, who’s trailing and how the reps will be divided in the second set of spring practices, which begin early next month and conclude with the Spring Game on April 14.

But based on what I saw and what I have been told, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the QB competition is more than a two-man race in training camp.

Sophomore Brett Nottingham and junior Josh Nunes (in that order) appear to be well ahead of the pack.

* No resolution at left tackle or right guard — and don’t expect any until August.

* Same goes for safety. Defensive coordinator Derek Mason was clear on that when I chatted with him after the practice.

Devon Carrington and Jordan Richard may have a slight edge on Ed Reynolds, but that’s largely due to Reynolds not being in top form physically as he recovers from the ACL tear.

Mason spoke glowingly about Reynolds’ ability to handle the mental aspects of the game, being the quarterback of the secondary.

* Promising cornerback Wayne Lyons is 75% recovered from the foot injury that cost him most of the 2011 season, Mason said.

* Receiver Ty Montgomery (hand) could participate in contact drills in the April session, which , based on my reading of the situation, represents an improvement in his condition.

* Kelsey Young has been one of the biggest surprises of the spring. The redshirt freshman from Norco High School– Toby Gerhart’s alma mater — could contribute at running back, receiver and cornerback.

“He’s been the X factor,” Shaw said. “We’re not sure how we’re going to use him.”

Unless Stanford magically produces a safety that can set defensive alignments and tackle in the open field to the tune of 10 solo’s a game. Stanford will meet with failure once again. The biggest problem on Stanfords team is not the QB or offense, it is the secondary tackling “one on one” in space against the likes of USC and Oregon. this is what loses football games against good teams, and Shaw knows it.

Scott

Yes to the tune of 3 straight wins against SC.

StanTheMan

LOL @Cal cancelling practice. You spend HOW MUCH money on new facilities and can’t bother to install a half-decent drainage system on your football practice field?

OT

@StanTheMan:

Memorial Stadium is still under construction. Memorial Stadium would have been the normal practice field for Cal football (due to limited space on campus.) That’s the primary reason for the artificial turf.

Cal football has planned to borrow the RUGBY field for 2012 spring practice.

The rugby field is maintained from funding provided by donors of the rugby program.

harold

Geez, Stanley Ford, I don’t know if I can hold up under the burden of another 23-3 stretch over the next two seasons. I just never get used to the crushing sense of failure.